SCB is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and promotion of recreational archery in Sonoma County. Our primary purpose is to provide a fun and safe environment for our members and community alike.
SCB has had several hundred members over its 40+ year history peaking at approximately 300 members. Although the majority of our members live and work in Sonoma County, we have some members from other counties as well.
Our youngest active members are “Pee Wees” under the age of 8 years old, while our most senior active members are in their 80’s. One family, which has been supporting SCB for many years, has three generations with over 10 grandchildren participating. There are a large number of grandparents who have introduced their grandchildren to the outdoors and to the sport of archery through SCB’s activities. We have even had couples that met at the club and have since been married.
SCB is affiliated with various organizations which help provide structure, rules and regulations for the sport of archery. Many of our members have served or are currently serving as board members of some of these organizations.
They are:
- International Bowhunting Organization, “IBO” (international)
- National Archery Association, “NAA” (Olympic, national – formed in 1879)
- National Field Archery Association, “NFAA” (national)
- California Bowmen Hunters/State Archery Association, “CBH/SAA” (state)
- Northern California Field Archery Association, “NCFAA” (regional)
Some of our members regularly write magazine articles and have even written books on the subject of archery. We have members who are certified instructors for various international and national organizations. We also have some professional archers who are sponsored by various companies and organizations.
While some of our members come to practice and improve their archery skills for organized competition (some hold state and/or national championship titles) or hunting, others come for educational purposes, to be physically active, enjoy nature, and enjoy the camaraderie our club offers.
our history
Organized archery in Sonoma County started around the 1950’s with a club called “White Feather Archery” and the first known archery range was located near what is now the Flamingo Hotel. A new club was created in 1961 called, “Santa Rosa Bowmen” and their range was located on Sonoma County Water Agency property near Matanzas Creek Reservoir. Another club called, “Sebastopol Bow Hunters” was also established in the 1960s. These two clubs merged in 1971 to become a non-profit recreational organization under the name “Sonoma County Bowmen”.
The new Sonoma County Bowmen (“SCB”) moved its range to an old chicken house on private property near Forestville for about two years. This facility was limited to indoor archery only and did not meet the needs of the club. In 1973, the owner of Nielsen’s Christmas Tree Farm, located near the current Sutter Hospital on Chanate Road, agreed to allow SCB to use their property. An outdoor range was established and remained in use for the next ten years. The property was sold in 1983 forcing SCB to relocate again. SCB was able to re-establish its range on its original location at the SCWA’s Matanzas Creek Reservoir site property later in 1983.
SCB used this site until the winter 2005/2006 storms. The storms caused significant damage to the area and the Sonoma County Water Agency asked SCB to refrain from using the property until their sediment removal project was completed. In June 2007, the SCWA notified SCB that it decided not to renew our license, which once again, left the club without a range. In the interim, SCB President Marilyn Dutra and her husband, Steve Dutra, agreed to allow SCB to use their property so that the club could continue with almost all of its normal shooting and social events until a new range home could be found. In April 2009, SCB signed a five year agreement with the Army Corp of Engineers at Lake Sonoma allowing SCB to once again – have a range “home”.